They are suggesting that Calgary would try to unload Turek with his 4 mil+ (next two years) salary as part of the deal. As we have talked about here, the rumor is still something like Lundmark, Blackburn, Dvorak for Iginla and Turek.

I like it; for both teams. The Rangers will be getting a young player who is a star. He may not win another scoring championship but he is a solid enough player and young enough that I would take him for Lundmark & Dvorak in a heartbeat. Iginla drastically improves the rangers talent, depth, heart, and possibly their future. He will be one of a few stars on a team of full stars that the Rangers can build around if they can’t make it with what they have now.

The Blackburn for Turek trade benefits Calgary greatly in terms of current and future potential and money.

The Rangers get the best player. The Flames get a couple good players and two with large upside. They get rid of the Iginla and Turek Salary commitment… which means they can jump in and get a Free Agent or make a trade for further help themselves next year if they feel they have a shot. Also Lundmark and Blackburn are well known locally and therefore ease the marketing sting of losing Iginla (comment from TSN.ca)

aetherial writes Seriously, I hate what the Rangers are doing with their ridiculous payroll. How many people (outside of New Yorkers or long time Yankee fans) admire the Yankees? I rest my case. In this case though, I truly believe that this deal helps both parties. Even Bobby Clarke would admit this would be a legitimate “hockey deal”.

Neither team may get a shot at something better than this. I say they should do it.

sane04 writes It comes as no surprise to anyone that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in San Jose’s Owen Nolan. And, make no mistake, they are interested.

The real big news would be if the Leafs were to land the Shark power forward. Pat Quinn’s track record as general manager of the Leafs suggests he doesn’t often make a trade and he certainly doesn’t often make a trade involving a player as significant as Nolan, especially in the middle of the season.

But that hasn’t stopped the Leafs from talking to San Jose about Nolan. The Sharks, meanwhile, have to decide how they’re going to proceed.

Ownership would like to see Sharks’ general manager Dean Lombardi reduce the team’s $48 million payroll, especially since the Sharks are likely to miss the playoffs this season. Technically, that could be done by moving other pieces such as Vincent Damphousse or Adam Graves or Bryan Marchment. But Nolan is scheduled to earn $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons and that makes him an obvious target.

There will only be a handful of teams interested in Nolan and the Leafs are one of them.

San Jose has three options. It can trade Nolan for another big ticket player, making $4 million or $5 million and pocket the difference. Or it could opt for a medium-range player — Toronto’s Darcy Tucker will be the name that doubtlessly fits the bill — who would help to replace Nolan’s goals and grit but wouldn’t be nearly as expensive. Or the Sharks could do it for prospects and draft picks. Doubtful, but a possiblity.

On the subject of Nolan, let’s get one thing perfectly clear. He does not have a contract that guarantees he will be paid during a lockout. What he does have is a contract that says if the 2004-05 season is 39 games or less because of labour strife, he’s entitled to tack on another year at $6.5 million to the end of the deal.

Which is no big deal for two reasons. One, there’s already a club option for that extra year anyway. Two, the $6.5 million is the minimum he would get on a qualifying offer for a new contract.

Whatever way you slice it, Nolan’s contract isn’t an impediment to making a deal happen for the Leafs. On that count, it’s simply up to Quinn to decide if he’s willing to meet San Jose’s asking price and whether he’s ready, for the first time as Leaf GM, to pull the trigger on a significant in-season acquisition.

http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/bob_mckenzie.asp

rumormillman writes Once again, there are talks that a deal between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs could be in the works. But the player coming Toronto’s way may not be the one most fans had hoped for.

Sports Radio “THE TEAM” is reporting that Leafs G.M. Pat Quinn is holding talks with Flames management about the services of defenceman Robyn Regehr. A man, to some, who has not yet reached his full potential out in Western Canada. The thought is, though he is a smooth skater, he is best suited for the Eastern Conference style of game. Where he may be able to use his big frame to his advantage.

What the Flames are seeking, among other things, is an offensive minded blueliner with potential to be a future quarterback on their powerplay. One who may be able to team up with up and comer Jordan Leopold to form an explosive powerplay. The name being mentioned most often has been, of course, Carlo Colaiacovo. But the Leafs are countering with Ian White and some cash. Though Leopold is a skater and rusher who passes the puck with precision. White has a canon for a shot and rarely misses the net.

Robyn Regehr is a big boy. He stands 6-3 and weighs in at 226 pounds. Defencemen usually take time to develope, and at 22 years of age, he is no exception. The young blueliner has had his ups and downs throughout his young career. Suffering two broken legs in a messy car accident during the 1998-99 season. But bouncing back to have a respectable rookie seaon with 12 points.

This season he has 7 assists with 45 pim’s. He is also a -4. Very low numbers for a man with his potential.

This deal could be good news or bad news for the fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs. With all the names being mentioned out there. Is Robyn Regehr the best they can get? Time will tell, but if it were up to me. This deal is a no-brainer. DO IT!!! He will be a rock for years to come. He’s only 22 for christ sake!!!

habs_88_4life writes Everyone around hockey websites, forums, message boards ect; are all hyped up about the possible trade of Flames F Jarome Iginla. Do the Flames have enough depth to deal Iginla and become a contender ever again ?

Jarome Iginla is a franchise player, the only one Calgary has, they can’t afford to trade him unless they receive immediate help, an Elias or Lindros which won’t happen. We’ve seen some big names moved around in recent years and most deals have been fairly lopsided. How can Calgary possibly do better with Blackburn, Gomez or Gionta ?

Calgary is finally about to reach thier peak next year with Leopold, Kobasew, Iginla, Drury and Turek. The Flames have already said that Iginla will only be traded for immediate help, a team like New Jersey would need that “immediate help” for an extended playoff run. Many other names could be on the move; Satan, Amonte and Numminen would make much stronger cases for being on a different team come the deadline.

Teams looking to pulloff a blockbuster or a signifacant trade include Montreal, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Pheonix, St. Louis and Los Angeles. The mark for getting into the playoffs in the West is a little bigger than the East. In the East either Montreal, Boston, Tampa Bay, Islanders or Pittsburgh will not make it into the post-season. My pick would be the Islanders, they’ve struggled since last years miracle season, much from the injury to captain Peca.